Michael Lowry Movies

The media's tendency to favor youth and cosmetic perfection over experience and intelligence is the gist of this mildly trenchant TV movie. Mel Harris stars as Diana, a top TV news anchor who is summarily dumped from her lofty perch in favor of a younger and prettier journalist named Amber (Julianne Morris). Partly to get even, but mostly to prove something to herself, Diana undergoes plastic surgery, changes her name, and takes an entry-level job in a small TV market, intent upon building her stellar career all over again. Diana's saga is complemented by the story of her middle-aged newsperson colleague Michael (Perry King), who likewise faces competition from an up-and-coming pretty boy. It is somewhat ironic that one of the supporting characters in this film is played by Corey Donaldson, whose chief claim to fame was his participation in Survivor: Australia, one of many TV reality series in which the race is more often won by the good-looking than by the swift. Another Pretty Face debuted November 8, 2002, over the PAX network. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Recalling the work of John Cassavetes, this film focuses on a trio of down-and-out gambling slackers. Dot (Kevin Corrigan), Lem (Mick Cunningham), and Curry (Michael Lowry) spend much of their time sucking down beer and making back bets on Yankees games, until they stumble upon the investment opportunity of a lifetime -- or so they think. As their luck seems to turn, Dot tries to go straight and pursue a free-spirited young woman named Leslie (Elizabeth Berridge). Yet, when the three's investment proves to be not what it seems, Dot is forced to choose between his buddies and the girl he loves. This film was screened at the 2000 L.A. Independent Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

In the midst of contract negotiations, Larry's (Garry Shandling) agent, Stevie (Bob Odenkirk), is able to work a sitcom deal into the mix. In search of a good comic writer to ensure success, Larry is elated when he discovers that Chris Elliott is more than willing to pen a script. Despite his initial enthusiasm, however, Larry finds himself at odds with the network brass in terms of what is expected from the show. Hiring Phil (Wallace Langham) for a quick rewrite, Larry manages to impress the network while simultaneously incurring the wrath of a vengeful Elliott. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

A young, married mother gets in over her head when she has an affair in this made-for-TV movie. Alicia Silverstone stars as Roslyn, a young mother who married her high school sweetheart (Jared Leto). She gets more than just excitement though when she accepts the nudging from a friend and has a fling with tough guy Matthew Flint. The film is a remake of the 1958 film of the same name. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi

One of the early direct-to-video horror films from Charles Band's Full Moon Entertainment, this good-looking entry stars 21 Jump Street's Michael Benedetti as Corey Thornton, who inherits a mansion in the Louisiana bayou from his late father. Corey wonders why his father, who abandoned him, would leave him such an expansive estate, and also wonders exactly what the brothel across the way has to do with any of it. The fact that Edgar Winter is part of the brothel's house band should have given him a clue, and when stone hands start embedding themselves in people's heads it is obvious to everyone but Corey that the brothel is a front for a coven of witches. It turns out that Corey's father was heavily involved in black magic and wants to rise from the grave to possess his son's body, and must consign Corey's soul to the netherworld (hence the title) to do so. Denise Gentile plays a tempting hooker, Holly Floria is the love interest, and Anjanette Comer from The Loved One and The Baby is her mother, the mansion's housekeeper. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi